Online Reporter
Peter Matika-Bulawayo Bureau
IF anyone still doubts that girls are ready to rule the world of innovation, three young pupils from Mahatshula suburb in Bulawayo have delivered a powerful answer — doing it even before reaching secondary school.
At an age when many children are still mastering multiplication tables and playground games, three bright pupils from Lone Scientist Primary School in Mahatshula suburb are already dreaming up solutions that could transform agriculture, health and everyday life.
Meet nine-year-old Lorraine Sithole, a Grade 3 learner, alongside Grade 2 learners Tinotenda Kadungure and Luba Kyle Nkomo.
This trio of young innovators, produced from the school’s robotics club, has developed a prototype application for a “sweat-less grinder”, a smart grinding system designed to eliminate the need for physical human effort.
The concept, still at prototype stage, uses technology to automate grinding processes for maize, herbs and other food substances, potentially reducing labour demands while increasing efficiency in homes, farming and even pharmaceutical industries.
Their invention arrives at a time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to encourage girls and young women to actively participate in the technology and innovation sectors.
Yesterday, during the Girls in ICT International commemorations held at the National University of Science and Technology, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera challenged girls to take centre stage in shaping Zimbabwe’s digital future as the Government rolls out the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030.
Delivering her keynote address at the commemorations held under the global theme, “AI for development: Girls shaping the digital future”, Minister Mavetera said the future of innovation must have girls at its centre.
“The critical question is: who is writing that code? Who is building those systems? Who is shaping the future of innovation? Our answer as Zimbabwe must be unequivocal: our girls must be at the centre of that transformation,” said the minister.
For Lorraine and her teammates, that future appears to have already begun.
Speaking with confidence beyond her years, Lorraine explained how their proposed application could simplify grinding processes while supporting key sectors of the economy.
“Our application is called a sweat-less grinding system, where people do not have to use physical energy. It can grind maize into mealie-meal, herbs and many other materials that require processing,” said Lorraine.
“We believe it can help farmers because after harvesting, they can process products much faster and easier. It can also help pharmacists because herbs and medicinal products often need grinding. If our prototype is endorsed and developed further, it could save time and improve production,” she said.
The young Lorraine said their team wanted to create technology capable of solving practical community challenges.
“We want to build something useful that can help people in their daily lives,” she said.
Their teacher, Mrs Rachel Dihwa, said the project has become a source of pride and inspiration, particularly because of the learners’ age.
What stands out even more is that girls are leading the innovation at a stage where many still wrongly assume science and technology are fields reserved for older learners or boys.
Minister Mavetera is on record urging girls to reject stereotypes that discourage women from entering technology fields.
“You belong in laboratories. You belong in boardrooms. You belong in coding academies. You belong in innovation hubs,” she said.
Those words could easily have been written for Lorraine, Tinotenda and Luba.
“Their small classroom project may still be in its infancy, but the significance stretches far beyond one prototype. It reflects a growing shift in Zimbabwe where young girls are beginning to see themselves not just as users of technology, but as creators, innovators and future industry leaders,” said Mrs Dihwa.
And if the future truly belongs to those bold enough to imagine it, then these three young girls may already be “grinding” their way toward something extraordinary.
